HM Amit Shah holds high-level meet on India-Nepal border security in Bihar's Purnea
Patna, Feb 27
On the third and final day of his visit to Bihar's Seemanchal region, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting on the India-Nepal border management in Purnea on Friday.
The meeting, held at Zero Mile in the city, focused on strengthening security arrangements, preventing infiltration, and enhancing intelligence coordination across border districts.
The Union Home Minister's emphasis on action against infiltrators indicated the possibility of stricter measures in the coming days.
The meeting was attended by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, the State Director General of Police (DGP), Inspector General (IG) of the border range, Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) from 12 districts, and District Magistrates (DMs) and Superintendents of Police (SPs) from border districts, including Purnea, Araria, Katihar and Kishanganj.
Senior administrative and police officials were also present.
A detailed review was conducted on the monitoring and management of the nearly 700-km-long India-Nepal border.
Based on inputs from security agencies, a new strategy was reportedly formulated to curb suspicious activities, illegal infiltration, and smuggling in border areas.
Officials emphasised expansion of technical surveillance along the border, strengthening intelligence networks, enhancing inter-agency coordination, activating border police stations, and increasing joint operations between local police and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
The Seemanchal belt shares proximity not only with Nepal but also with Bangladesh and lies close to the strategically vital Siliguri Corridor, often referred to as the "Chicken Neck" corridor.
Given its strategic sensitivity, officials directed further strengthening of security infrastructure across the region.
There were indications that concrete administrative and technological measures regarding border management may be announced soon.
Purnea city was placed on high alert during the Union Home Minister's visit.
Security arrangements included heavy police deployment across key routes, monitoring at 100-metre intervals in sensitive areas, route lining and parking regulation, crowd management measures, deployment of health department teams, ambulances, and trauma support units.
Union Minister Amit Shah arrived in Bihar on February 25 for a three-day Bihar visit focused largely on Seemanchal.
During the visit, he held review meetings in Kishanganj, Araria and Purnea, interacted with security personnel, and inspected villages selected under the Vibrant Village Program-2.
The visit is being viewed as significant from the perspective of national and border security.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While security is paramount, I hope these measures don't negatively impact the centuries-old people-to-people ties and free movement that communities along the border rely on. The focus should be on illegal activities, not on making life difficult for ordinary citizens.
Seemanchal is a very sensitive region, touching Nepal and close to the Chicken Neck. Any security lapse there is a direct threat to national integrity. Good to see the Home Minister taking it seriously. Jai Hind!
Technical surveillance and better intelligence is the way forward. We can't just rely on physical patrolling for 700 km. But the government must also ensure that the local population in border districts gets benefits of development, not just heightened security.
Meetings are good, but implementation is key. We've heard about strengthening borders before. Let's see concrete action on the ground this time. The people of Purnea, Araria deserve to feel safe.
Smuggling and illegal activities have hurt the local economy for years. If this meeting leads to a crackdown, it will be a big relief for honest businessmen and residents. Hope the action is sustained.
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